Abstract: 　Objective To determine the genotypes and distribution of MSP2 of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Yunnan and Hainan provinces, China.Methods The central polymorphic region of MSP2 allele was amplified by the nested PCR for genotyping of P.falciparum. Results The higher degree of polymorphism of MSP2 of P.falciparum was observed in Yunnan and Hainan. Distribution and allele frequencies differed in both provinces, indicating considerable geographical heterogeneity of parasite populations. The mixed infection of different allele type and multiplicity of infection was more frequent in Hainan than in Yunnan.Conclusion There were obvious differences in the distribution and frequencies of MSP2 alleles between Yunnan and Hainan endemic areas. MSP2 is suitable to be used as a marker gene for the genotyping of P.falciparum infection.

Key words: Plasmodium falciparum, merozoite surface protein 2, genotyping, allele